Educational videos to reduce teen smoking - Anti-smoking & health education videos for tobacco prevention!

"A must for all teens! This highly motivational video offers real-life examples of how to say no to friends, and it truly opens students' eyes to tobacco advertising and smoking by movie stars in films. Kids remember highlights of videos. When they're faced with a choice, I feel my students will remember this one, and know how to respond."

"Motivating, educational and informative, with powerful images! The real life examples really got through to our 11th and 12th graders."

"The kids sat spellbound. He had them."

The Truth About Tobacco
A
A powerful, motivating new video

Mixing live talk, award-winning TV spots, photos, film clips and graphics

Teacher's Discussion Guide Included

Hosted by motivational speaker and
tobacco educator Patrick Reynolds

HIGHLIGHTS

The Truth About Tobacco is a multimedia presentation which helps youth stay tobacco free, and resist the onslaught of tobacco advertising and peer pressure. Mr. Reynolds' talk also motivates students to make more responsible choices about drugs and alcohol, and offers clear examples of how to say no to friends who drink, smoke or use drugs. He also stresses the importance of talking about problems, and not isolating.

A personal story

Mr. Reynolds opens the video with a moving personal story about his own father's death from smoking, when he was 15. This opens the hearts of many young viewers, and makes them more receptive to the lessons which follow in the video.

Smoking is addictive

Mr. Reynolds impresses on students the extreme addictiveness of nicotine. "If I could give you one message today, it would be that cigarettes are addictive. Once you start, you may not be able to stop...."

What if cigarette advertising told the the truth?

The video opens students' eyes to the reality of tobacco ad campaigns which have targeted them. Mr. Reynolds uses humorous spoofs of cigarette ads, such as Joe Camel, dying from cancer in a hospital bed. He shows the 3 overheads below in the video.

Art by Adbusters

About the Malboro Country ad above, he points out, "These smokers are gathered outside, because they aren't welcome inside the building. Today, being a nonsmoker is the norm. If you smoke, you're often just not welcome around others."

Chewing tobacco

In this powerful section, Mr. Reynolds shows the three overheads below. The before-and-after photos of Sean Marsee are particularly effective. Mr. Reynolds tells Sean's story, from the time when he was a popular high school athlete, to discovering his cancer, through the three operations which followed. He concludes by saying, "Sean died at age 19 from chewing tobacco -- disfigured, sad and in terrible pain." Telling this heartbreaking story is one of the most memorable parts of the presentation, and it consistently captivates high school and middle school audiences. Many health teachers have commented that Sean's story has real impact on their students.

Sean Marsee at age 17

Sean Marsee at age 19, just prior to his death

These photos are shown in the video, as Sean Marsee's sad story is told.

Students in the video react when they see
the photo of Sean with mouth cancer.

After telling this story, Mr. Reynolds goes on to reveal that the only reason self-service displays of tobacco have been placed on countertops everywhere is because the tobacco companies pay each store a monthly fee for every display of tobacco.

The truth is that just a few years ago, almost no one was using chewing tobacco. But many thousands of kids were deceived, and concluded the stores put the displays on counters because the product was really popular and selling well.

Seeing these displays daily for years, right on the countertop at child eye level, eventually got many teens' curiosity up. Thousands tried it, and then got addicted, like Sean.

Smoking in movies and TV

Pierce Brosnan, since posing for this Lark ad which ran in Japan, has shown tremendous leadership in the Hollywood community, by forswearing smoking as James Bond. He delivered on his promise, and has now set a good example for other stars.

Charlie Sheen's ad also ran in Japan.

"I would not advocate censoring the movies," says, Mr. Reynolds, "but I will deliver a dose of healthy shame to Hollywood stars who have smoked in films." He names several stars who have irresponsibly glamorized smoking on screen, and creates a new perception of the stars who make smoking look cool to kids.

Initiation

The Truth About Tobacco contains a unique initiation into life, to help prepare students to better deal with tough moments in their lives. Near the conclusion, Mr. Reynolds revives the ancient tradition of initiating youth. Mr. Reynolds says, "The core message of my brief initiation today is this: life brings everyone painful moments and obstacles. It's designed to be that way. It's by our struggles to succeed against adversity that we build our character, and define who we are. It's by staying with whatever difficulty life throws at us that we heal, and solve our problems — not by running away.

"Many adults run away from their pain by using cigarettes, food, alcohol, drugs, TV, or even work. A lot of teens use music. So the message of this initiation today is that when these moments come, don't escape into these. Instead, stay with your uncomfortable feelings, and begin to solve the problem. Do the work — don't take the easy path. Only a baby gets instant gratification! Adults have to delay it and wait for it….

"And don't isolate and do this alone. Talk about what's bothering you to your parents, a trusted teacher, or the school counselor. It's by talking about our difficulties to another person that we heal, and resolve problems. Life gets tough at times, but you can do it!"

Inspiring faith in the future: a new way
to reduce smoking and drug use

"I have a cool new reason to take care of my health."

To counter a recent trend of pessimism among youth, he offers an inspiring message of hope for the future, to motivate students to "hold on to your health, for the amazing, wondrous years ahead."

New studies show that large numbers of today’s teens suffer from intense anxiety about their future, and frequently have a keen sense of diminished expectations. He concluded that in the face of an uncertain tomorrow, many teens may be inclined to take increased risks.

Large numbers of teens may indeed be thinking, "There's no future for me, so I may as well have fun now!" Between 1988 and 1998, in fact, there was a 73% increase in teen smoking (it has declined slightly since 1998).

To counteract this troubling trend, Mr. Reynolds closes his talk with a powerful and inspirational message of hope for the future. If teens have a stronger outlook, he reasons, they will be more motivated to take care of their health. He concludes by sharing his own "rock-solid faith that the future holds wonderful things!" He rallies the audience to stay tobacco-free, drug-free and alcohol-free, and points out that, "You are going to need your health in the great and amazing times ahead! Don't throw your life away on cigarettes, drugs or alcohol. Be a citizen of the 21st century, not the 20th! The tobaccofree society is coming! Hold on to your health -- for the incredible, wondrous years before us!"

More quotes

"It was just amazing to watch the faces as he spoke. He was really awe inspiring."

Carrie Van Dyke, Indiana State Board of Health

"His presentation was strong, emotional and very captivating to the teens. The evaluations we took were excellent. Powerful and meaningful!"

Frank Bartell, CEO, St. Luke’s Hospital, Maumee, Ohio

"Mr. Reynolds' presentation made a strong impact in the lives of thousands of children in Whitfield County. It really made a big difference in our community."

Larry McNeilly, VP Hamilton Hospital, Dalton, GA

"Junior high school kids are the toughest audience. It was hard to tell when Reynolds hooked the kids. Maybe it was the adolescent humor. He got a big reaction when he put up a slide of Joe Chemo, depicting the famous cigarette icon camel in a hospital bed. Maybe it was the shock tactics: before-and-after photos of a high school track star who chewed tobacco. 'They cut his tongue out,' he said, 'and he never could never talk again.' A half-hour into his presentation, a time span that normally would have tested all bounds of sixth-grade endurance, the kids sat spellbound. He had them,' said Kettering Middle School Principal Rusty Clifford."

Mary McCarty, Dayton Daily News (Syndicated)

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e-mail: info@tobaccofree.org · PO Box 492028 · Los Angeles, CA 90049-8028
Tel. (800) 541-7741 · (310) 471-0303 · Fax (310) 471-0335

Owners of our last video, Straight Talk About Tobacco,
are invited to upgrade at a special price. See below.

Cost and How to Order

The Truth About Tobacco

Special Offer -- 20% off

At this time we are offering a special of over 20% off. The total price, including shipping, will be $145.00 -- $40 off the normal $185 price. Please add $5 shipping. If in California, please California State taxes, if applicable to your organization.

The video has two 20 minute segments, for viewing on separate class days. A teacher's classroom discussion guide comes with the video.

All non-preview orders must be faxed, or mailed to us, accompanied by a check or purchase order. Orders may also be initiated by phone.

The video and discussion guide will be shipped by priority mail within five business days of receipt of your order.

Please include your name, phone, the address where you would like the video shipped, and a separate billing address, if appropriate.

Also, please include the list code found just above your name on the mailpiece you recieved. (This will tell us whch mailing lists work best, and help reduce our mailing costs in the future.)

Make checks or purchase orders payable to Tobaccofree.Org. We do not take credit cards.

Preview copies are available; specify in writing or when you call us that this is a preview request. We will ship the video to you, along with an invoice. If you choose to keep it, simply pay the invoice. If you chose not to keep it, return the video and invoice to us within 30 days of the date on the invoice. On recieving it, we will void your invoice. You pay return postage.

This is a recent upgrade of our previous video, Straight Talk About Tobacco, and it contains completely new, updated footage. If you purchased our earlier version after March 1, 2000, your upgrade is free. If you purchased our earlier version prior to this date, the cost to upgrade to our new video is $75.00. In either case, please enclose a copy of your Straight Talk About Tobacco invoice or purchase order with your upgrade order.

Mail or fax your order to:

Tobaccofree.Org
PO Box 492028
Los Angeles, CA 90049-8028

Our Tax ID Number: 52-154-3248

Tel (800) 541-7741
Tel (310) 471-0303

Fax (310) 471-0335

Resale, rental and unauthorized duplication
of the video are strictly prohibited by law.

Tragically, from 1988 to 1998, there was a huge 73% upsurge in teen smoking. Why? What are the new factors are influencing today's teens? Mr. Reynolds addresses the primary causes of the recent huge increase in teen smoking -- tobacco advertising campaigns targeting youth, peer pressure and smoking by stars in movies and TV. He talks in depth about smoking by Hollywood icons, and the attractive models in tobacco ads. He uses hilarious spoofs of cigarette ads, such as Joe Camel in a hospital bed. He shows heartbreaking before-and-after photos of Sean Marsee, who died from chewing tobacco at 19 -- disfigured, sad and in pain. He strongly warns about the addictiveness of tobacco. But he also devotes a section of his video to a new issue, which no one has ever addressed.

Mr. Reynolds believes a new pessimism among youth has also helped fuel the rise in teen smoking. In a recent paper for the Stanford University Medical Review, Mr. Reynolds advances a new theory. He points to market research by Coca-Cola, which shows that great numbers of young people today suffer from intense anxiety about the future and "an acute sense of diminished expectations." (Time, May 30, 1994) Today 50% of children ages 9-17 worry about dying young. (Yankelovitch Partners Study, Time, May 3, 1999) Believing they face bleak prospects, says Mr. Reynolds, many teens want to have fun now, before an uncertain future arrives. He believes this attitude has contributed to the dramatic recent increase in the teen smoking rate, to increased drug use and to the rise of binge drinking on college campuses.

An initiation into life to prepare students to better deal with tough moments in their lives. "The core message here is that life brings everyone painful moments and obstacles," he says. "When these moments come, don't escape by using tobacco, drugs, alcohol, food or music. Instead, stay with your uncomfortable feelings, and begin to solve the problem. And don't isolate and do this alone. Talk about it to your parents, a trusted teacher, or the school counselor. It's by talking about our difficulties to another person that we heal, and resolve difficulties. Life gets tough at times, but you can do it!"

Emphasizes the addictiveness of nicotine

Opens students' eyes to tobacco advertising and how it can manipulate teens

Creates a new perception of smoking in TV and films by movie stars

Motivates teens to resist peer pressure to smoke

Offers clear examples of how to say no

Empowers students to make more responsible choices about drugs and alcohol

Stresses the importance of talking to others about problems, and not isolating

A lively mix of award-winning TV spots, live talk, film clips, photos and graphics

Divided into two 20 minute segments, to allow time for class discussion

Teacher's discussion guide included

Offers students a great website for follow-up study, www.notobacco.org

"The Truth About Tobacco is one of the most powerful and motivating
educational videos we've shown here. It had a really positive
impact on our students."

Guadalupe Lopez, Principal, Campbell High School

ABOUT
PATRICK REYNOLDS

SC Legislature Press Conference, 1988

	Past Lecture Clients
	The United Nations World Health Organization, Geneva
	The United States House of Representatives
	The American Cancer Society
	The American Heart Association
	The American Lung Association
	Marion, Merrell, Dow Pharmaceuticals
	Ciba Geigy Pharmaceuticals
	Lederle Pharmaceuticals
	Numerous Universities and Colleges
	The American Council on Science and Health
	The National Cancer Institute
	The California Medical Association
	The National Foundation for Cancer Research
	The American Respiratory Association
	Numerous High Schools and Middle Schools, nationally
	Numerous State Legislatures and City Councils, including New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles & Washington DC

	Quitting Tips
	Cool Photos and Art
	The Foundation for a Smokefree America
	About Our New Video
	Overview of Live Talks
	Our New Website for Youth, www.Notobacco.org